Passing Time Through the Winter

Here in the Midwest, we've been having a chilly, chilly winter. A couple weeks ago, we endured some nasty coldness; a Polar Vortex. Three days of gross windchills that kept us all hunkered down indoors, bookended with some snow days. By the end of the week we were all getting a little stir crazy.

Happily, we were back to school by Friday and it was a half day! Townshend has been wanting to go to Chicago's children's museum, so we decided it'd be the perfect way to shake off our cabin fever. So, to Navy Pier we went!

The day before we were to go, a friend of mine told me about a special event being held on the Pier... something called The Beach, and so we thought we'd check that out before we went to the children's museum. Of course, there was a bit of a line.. but we got to hang out by big windows overlooking the frozen Lake. I'm not sure I've ever seen it covered with snow before.. gorgeous!

Eventually, we made it into the event. It was a cool, huge room with a high ceiling, that had been outfitted with white astro-turf for sand, beach chairs and umbrellas.. some bright lights, and a sea of white balls simulating water.

It was a riot! There were so many balls, it really was almost like swimming.. except with greater resistance.. you really got sucked in!

We rolled around and giggled for a good while before heading on to our next stop: The Children's Museum.

Since we weren't rushed for time, we were able to visit several exhibits and really savor them.

We wiggled and played and then headed home feeling much better about the world. Still, all in all, I'm so, so ready for this winter to be done (we'll just not talk about the blizzard they're predicting for next week). Spring will come!!

Fighting Cabin-Fever

While this has been a rather mild Chicago winter, it's still winter; too cold to go outside much, but you can only stay inside so long.

The good news is that the little guy is getting big enough that we can be out longer and even condense our weekly errands a bit. This has made it possible to have more free mornings to do fun things!

Here are some favorites from recent days:

There's a conservatory that lets you enjoy the sunshine without the windchill. It's like a slice of summer. I'm always glad for our sunny visits:

Though, just 'cuz it's chilly doesn't mean we hafta say inside! Here we braved the cool (though, unseasonably warm for February) temperatures. What is it that they say, there's no bad weather, only bad clothing, right?

And of course, a favorite for the boys, the zoo! And our zoo has some lovely indoor exhibits that are fun to visit, especially this time of year. I always have to tear them away.. though, I tell myself that one day we'll be able to stay long enough they'll be ready to go when it's time. Still, fun!

mending the animals in the veterinary clinic

give this boy a broom and he's happy for hours

"i'm watering every plant, they are so thirsty."

All the same... I am *so* ready for Spring!!!